The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson eBook

“’What flieth
there?
What goeth there?
In the air aloft what glideth?’

“She answered,

“’I fly not though
I go,
And glide through the air
On Hofvarpnir,
Whose sire’s Hamskerpir,
And dam Gardrofa.’

“Sol and Bil are also reckoned among the goddesses,
but their nature has already been explained to thee.

37. “There are besides these a great many
other goddesses, whose duty it is to serve in Valhalla;
to bear in the drink and take care of the drinking-horns
and whatever belongs to the table. They are named
in Grimnismal, and are called Valkyrjor. Odin
sends them to every field of battle, to make choice
of those who are to be slain, and to sway the victory.
Gudur, Rota, and the youngest of the Norns, Skuld,
also ride forth to choose the slain and turn the combat.
Jord (earth), the mother of Thor, and Rinda, the mother
of Vali, are also reckoned amongst the goddesses.”

OF FREY AND GERDA.

38. “There was a man,” continued
Har, “named Gymir, who had for wife Aurboda,
of the race of the Mountain-giants. Their daughter
is Gerda, who is the most beautiful of all women.
One day Frey having placed himself in Hlidskjalf,
to take a view of the whole universe, perceived, as
he looked towards the north, a large and stately mansion
which a woman was going to enter, and as she lifted
up the latch of the door so great a radiancy was thrown
from her hand that the air and waters, and all worlds
were illuminated by it. At this sight, Frey, as
a just punishment for his audacity in mounting on that
sacred throne, was struck with sudden sadness, insomuch
so, that on his return home he could neither speak,
nor sleep, nor drink, nor did any one dare to inquire
the cause of his affliction; but Njord, at last, sent
for Skirnir, the messenger of Frey, and charged him
to demand of his master why he thus refused to speak
to any one. Skirnir promised to do this, though
with great reluctance, fearing that all he had to expect
was a severe reprimand. He, however, went to Frey,
and asked him boldly why he was so sad and silent.
Frey answered, that he had seen a maiden of such surpassing
beauty that if he could not possess her he should
not live much longer, and that this was what rendered
him so melancholy. ‘Go, therefore,’
he added, ’and ask her hand for me, and bring
her here whether her father be willing or not, and
I will amply reward thee.’ Skirnir undertook
to perform the task, provided he might be previously
put in possession of Frey’s sword, which was
of such excellent quality that it would of itself
strew a field with carnage whenever the owner ordered
it. Frey, impatient of delay, immediately made
him a present of the sword, and Skirnir set out on
his journey and obtained the maiden’s promise,
that within nine nights she would come to a place
called Barey, and there wed Frey. Skirnir having
reported the success of his message, Frey exclaimed,